The South Australian Naturalist. 13 



June 17th, 1919. — A lecture was given by Sir William Sowden on 

 "Travel Chat." Sir William was one of a party of Australian journalists 

 invited by the British Government to tour England and the western 

 battle front in France, to see what England had done and was doing in 

 the war. The party was shown everything they wanted to see, and were 

 amazed at England's stupendous war efforts. France was visited and 

 the soldiers were seen under actual lighting conditions. Sir William 

 showed a great number of very tine lantern and episcope views in 

 illustration of his remarks. 



July 15th, 1919. — The Government Astronomer, Mr. G. F. Dodwell, 

 B.A., lectured to the members on "The Earth as an Abode of Life 

 in relation to the Solar System and the Stellar Universe.'" The age and 

 origin of the earth were discussed. Plant, animal, and human life was 

 touched upon, and in conclusion the lecturer dealt in a practical way with 

 the conditions necessary for man to make the best use of his environment. 



August 22nd, 1919. — Mr. E. Ashby gave a delightful lecture on 

 "American Birds at Home." Lantern and episcope views of American 

 scenes, flowers, butterflies and trees were shown, and a chatty account 

 given of them all. Having personally visited the country recently, the 

 lecturer was able to give exceptionally interesting information in regard 

 to the views. 



September 2nd, 1919.— Capt. S. A. W^hite, C.M.B.O.U., R.A.O.U., 

 lectured on "The Old Dutch Houses at the Cape." Capt. White dealt 

 with his subject from the time the flrst settlers landed at the Cape, in 

 1652, under Van Reibek, The many episcope views shown brought out 

 the various architectural points very clearly, and illustrated the unique 

 character of these buildings. Many of the houses are still preserved, 

 although several centuries old. A very fine description of the country 

 was also given. 



At this meeting a motion was carried that the section publish a 

 journal, to be called "The South Australian Naturalist." 



EXCURSIONS. 



September 21, 1918. — A trip was taken by motor to Teatree Gully 

 under the leadership of Capt. S. A. White. The subject was Ornithology, 

 and a very profi'table afternoon was spent. 



September 28th, 1918. — An excursion from Blackwood to Eden was in 

 charge of Mr. A. G. Edquist, who aroused much interest in the physi- 

 ography, geology, and plant life of the district. 



October 5th, 1918. — Mr. W. H. Selway led a party of members on a 

 trip, Aldgate to Bridgewater, and the native flowers were seen at .their 

 best. The scrub south of the main road was investigated by the party. 



October 9th, 1918. — An all-day outing was made to Cherry Gardens, 

 when Mr. W. Ham took charge, and was greatly helped by Miss C. 

 Naughton, until recently in charge of the public school there. In the 

 course of the day the botanists were pleased to meet two zealous col- 

 lectors of orchids in Mr. and Mrs. T. Jacobs, whose daughter discovered 

 an orchid (Pterostylis vcrenae, Rogers) new to science, in this district. 

 The entomologists collected various species of insects. 



October 19th, 1918. — Mr. H. W. Andrew took a party of members to 

 Paradise and spoke on the introduced plants met with. The party pro- 

 ceeded via Darley Road through several orangeries along the Torrens, 

 by kind permission of the owners, and returned by way of the Paradise 



